Fluid indicator



May l1, 1937. \G, E. THOMAS l 2,079,699

` FLUID INDICATOR Filed Aug. 2l, 1954 Gfomf l 7PM/M5. BX

Patented May 11, 1937 UNTED STS rieur erica Application August 21,

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a lluid indicator for containers whereby the varying level of the fluid in the container actuates a calibrated plate, and the image of this plate is transmitted to a reM 5 mote point and is there visible to an operator.

An object of my invention is to provide a novel and simple fluid indicator the indicating portion of which is so arranged that the image thereof is transmitted to a remote point and is visible l to the operator.

Another object is to provide a uid indicator for the crank case of engines or the like which is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture and which includes a light bulb for the l purpose of transmitting the image of the indi eating card or plate to a point on the dash or within the cab of the vehicle.

Still another object is to provide a fluid indi cator of the character stated which can be at- 'lO tached to engines, gas tanks, or the like, of vehicles now in common use.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawing, the subjoined detailed 4description and the appended claim.

In the drawing Figure l is a fragmentary sectional view of my indicator in position upon a crank case of an engine.

Figure 2 is a side elevation partly in vertical section of my indicator.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the screen or glass upon which the image of the indicating element is projected,

While I have shown the preferred embodiment, other forms may be devised within the scope of the claim appended hereto, and I desire in this specification to include all those forms included within the scope of the claim.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral I indicates a fluid container such as the crank case of an internal combustion engine. A float chamber 2 substantially L. shaped screws into the container I as shown at 3. A drain plug l is provided in the horizontal arm of the float chamber 2 for the purpose of draining the fluid from the crank case I when necessary.

A tting 5 is mounted on the vertical arm of the float chamber 2 and consists of a vertical tube 6 and a substantially horizontal tube 'I which intersects the tube 6. The tubes 6 and 'I are preferably one integral part. The tube 6 screws into or is otherwise attached to the float chamber 2.

A float 8 is positioned within the chamber 2 and a rod 9 rises from the iloat 8 into the tube 6. The rod is held in a central position in the tube 6 by means of a guide I0. The plate II is provided on top of the rod 9, and this plate may 1934, Serial No. 740,779

(Cl. 7B-82) if desired be an integral part of the rod 9 and may be formed by flattening the upper portion of the rod.

Figures or other indicia are cut in the plate II, and these figures correspond to and indicate the capacity of the crank case or container I. The cap I2 screws onto the top of the tube S. As previously stated, the tube 'I intersects the tube 5. A light bulb I3 is positioned within the tube l, and suitable electric wires extend to this bulb to light the saine whenever desired,

A cap Ill is screwed onto the end of the tube 'I and may carry the bulb I3 if desired. One or more focusing lenses Iii-I5 are mounted in the tube 'I on the opposite side of the plate II from the bulb I3; thus the light from the bulb I3 must rst shine through the plate II or through figures out therein, and then passes through the focusing lenses I5.

A screen I8 is mounted on the dash I'I or other suitable point in the cab of the vehicle or the like. Il'his screen may if desired consist of a ground glass disk which is mounted in an annulus I8. If it is desired, a pipe I9 may extend from the tube 1 to the screen I6. However, the image of the iigures on the plate Il will be transferred to the screen without the pipe, and under certain conditions the pipe can be safely eliminated.

The float 8 rises and falls with the level of the liquid in the container I, and as the float rises and falls, the figures on the plate II will be moved over the tube l. The light from the bulb I3 will illuminate the figures in the plate or will shine through these figures if said figures are out in the plate.

rIhe lenses I5 will then focus the rays from the bulb I3 upon the screen I6 so that the operator can always ascertain the level of the fluid in the container.

Having described my invention, I claim:

A liquid level indicator comprising a float chamber adapted tok be placed in communication with the liquid the level of which is to be measured, a iitting mounted on the float chamber, said tting comprising a vertical tube, and a substantially horizontal tube intersecting the vertical tube and integrally formed therewith, a float in said chamber, a transparent indicating plate carried by the float and adapted to move vertically with movement of said float, said indicating plate extending into the vertical tube, a light bulb in the horizontal tube, a focusing lens in said horizontal tube, said light and lens being arranged on opposite sides of the indicating plate and a remote screen upon which the lens directly focuses the image of the indicating plate.

GEORGE E. THOMAS. 

